I am NOT a Facebook user. While I have already handed over my live and soul to Google, Facebook is not yet mining my data.. It is said that I have a choice if and how I will use social media (Facebook is evil... so are we?). But do I really? Will not being on Facebook make me a social outsider eventually? Might it even disqualify my for certain new media jobs if my future employer does not find me on facebook? Will one day not being on Facebook raise as many heads as having uploaded inappropriate party photos?
What do you think? Is there a social pressure to join Facebook?
PS: There are also alternatives to Facebook, for example check out Diaspora. It is social media with a big difference: no centralized data collection, no commercial interest. Unfortunately, so far also hardly any users :-(
I think there is definitely a social pressure to join face book. I've seen this emerge in recent years. Every week someone I know cracks and finally signs up, including people who vocally displayed their dislike of the site.
ReplyDeletePeople are advertising events, like a birthday path, solely on Facebook now. If you are not on it you are out of the loop.
In many ways it reminds me of mobile phones. In a short period they went from a fringe gadget to being must have. Without a mobile phone you can very quickly find yourself in a social wilderness. For better or worse, I see facebook going the same way.
I definitely think there is peer pressure to join the masses on Facebook. It is quickly replacing traditional means of communication, like simple emails, phone calls, & SMS. Everyone and their dog can now know what you ate for breakfast, or how you are "never drinking again".
ReplyDeletePersonally I hate the idea of it. It is completely unnatural to have your entire social circle, family, colleagues and anyone else you decide to "friend", all seeing what you have said and others have said to you.
In fact I recently deleted my profile, and feel much the better for it!
As there's been a before and after the Internet, there will be a before and after Facebook.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty incredible to think that 500 million people communicate through this service.
What developments for Facebook? What is its place in our lives in 5 years, 10 years?
I believe that no human endeavor has brought so many people together in so little time!
The sociological impact of this site may probably not be measured for several years, but no doubt it will not go unnoticed.
I think, that of course there is some pressure to join Facebook, but actually, as for the idea to be disqualified for new media jobs, everyone, who doesn't want to use it, may make their Facebook profile second LinkedIn, just for this one particular purpose. Just because they're aware, that employers check Facebook. It's no need to write statuses or read news feed. Or even check messages:)
ReplyDeleteI don't like the idea described by Colm too, but I do have a profile, though it is completely closed, just like every other account within social networks. Friends prefer call me or write e-mails, because they know that I check accounts once a month and not going to change that habit in nearest future. Too lazy to login few more times:)
Srongly agree with colm. Having the same thinking. Yes, as a matter of fact, there is society fressure for some of the users. But personally, I don't use it. And I still live my life.
ReplyDeleteYes, there is pressure for some people, as we are living in a society we need to communicate to each other. Like facebook as a new type of social communication network, if most of your friends or colleagues around you have facebook, which can be seen as apart of your social life.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why you upload things on your facebook is you want people to look at it. Just upload the right things, like something you can’t do or you can’t say in the public, and remember there is no privacy on the internet, people will find your information and pictures through facebook if they want to.
Interesting to see so many negative views of Facebook...who are the 500 million users then?
ReplyDeleteOh yes there is! I got my dad, mom and eldest sister to sign up for it. I also pushed work into getting involved (not only Facebook, but social network sites in general)... and I must confess that I have recently noticed the overwhelming amount of sites that give the final touch to their pages by offering a 'Like' button or even a 'Share' button.
ReplyDeleteAre we under pressure? it depends on how you decide that pressure to be translated into your life. I got my entire family to join it as I live far away and we do like to see what is going on in our lives and to kind of back it up with a 1.5 hrs call at the end of the week.
So, if we were to ask my family, they would be delighted to give a good testimonial about how much social network sites have helped to increase our communication while I live abroad.
I personally believe that there are many social network sites to choose from and they will invariably be part of our day to day, but we shouldn't stress about this, at the end of the day as long as you follow a similar social behaviour to your offline behaviour you should be on the safe side, that is:
- Don't talk to strangers
- Don't give out too much information than what you would share with a person sitting beside you in the bus
- and... Don't talk to those who you don't want to talk to.
In the end, we all do exist in real life... so whether to join a social network or not, shouldn't eliminate us from our real world. Should it? Well, I've decided to exist in SNS world and sure would love to keep chatting, so you can track me on: facebook.com/tapia.wendy
I´m not sure if there´s really so much social pressure. I believe a very important thing is forgotten in this discussion. Like Wendy said: We are all existing in real life. All the social networks are just supporting the idea of a friendship. But the real act of being a friend takes place outside the digital word. Facebook cannot and will not displace a real face to face conversation. It´s not just about what you say. It´s about your body language as well.How you say things. I believe that this point is undervalueted in these times.
ReplyDeleteI´m glad to have facebook and skype. That is the way to stay in touch with my friends in Germany. But there is now way around a talk face to face for a real friendship. But for the moment that is not possible.
I agree with Colm´s statement. But I also think that if I use facebook in the right way not everybody can see what I´m posting. You can set up lists with people from work or from societies you are participating and no other persons then these will see your post. You can set up your privacy as you wish.
Employers search facebook for informations about a possible candidate. That´s true, but again: They won´t find anything if you have a closed profile. And not being on facebook won´t be a reason for not getting a job. I´ve never heard of something like that. In my work in an advertising agency I was partly responsible for our internships and future employees. Being on facebook or not has never been a point.
Thanks to everybody for their comments!
ReplyDeleteFrom your comments and as well form chatting to you in class about the subject, I got good insights how Facebook or other social media sites are used (or not used) in our class. I come to the conclusion that Facebook is too big to be ignored and there is a need to engage with it in some shape or form, especially for someone engaged closely with New Media.